Dad’s Taking Part in Sponsored Bike Ride for Halow Charity

Published on: 15 Apr, 2017
Updated on: 15 Apr, 2017

A father, whose son Charlie is autistic, is taking to the saddle to ride 250 miles from Guildford to northern France and back to raise money for Guildford-based charity, the halow project.

Andy Dore (left) and his son Charlie.

Andy Dore’s son is just one of the 170 young people aged 16 to 35 with a learning disability that the halow project supports. It provides a range of services to enable independence, including social activities, a one-to-one buddy service and supported living.

Andy is the first halow parent to get in the saddle and take on the challenge of riding the annual halow 250 charity bike ride. He said: “This is a chance for me to support a charity that’s close to my heart and give something back, but also an opportunity to meet new people from different walks of life with a common purpose.

“I took up cycling a few years ago following two separate knee operations that hindered any extensive running-based exercise. It’s a great way to keep fit without over-stressing the joints.”

Andy is just one of the 130 halow 250 riders, who will depart from Roehampton on Friday, April 28, and then ride through the North and South Downs to Portsmouth.

The riders will then board the overnight ferry to France.

On day two they will have a demanding day of intense riding heading for Caen. The riders will then take the overnight ferry back to Portsmouth for a final day of endurance by cycling back to Guildford and to celebrate their achievements at a welcome home party.

The aim is to raise £70,000 in total. And halow says that with cuts in government funding, the daily challenges for young people with a learning disability and their families can be overwhelming so the need for the project is ever growing.

To sponsor Andy and the other halow 250 riders, go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/halow250.2017.

This year’s sponsors for the bike ride are Youngs, Cheevers Howard, GM Recruitment, MotorLux Mazda, ÜUTENSIL Frank Reynolds Architects, Orchard Pig, Elswood Cycleworks and Scimitar Sports.